Flexible mat



April l, 1930- H. w. HOLLENBECK 1,752,846

FLEXIBLE MAT Filed OCT.. 20, 1928 ATTORNEY 10 description.

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Patented Apr. 1 1930 f UNITI-:D `STATES PATENT ori-ics HAROLD W. HOLLNBECK., OF KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO DURABLE MAT COHPANY, 0F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION 0F WASHINGTON i FLEXIBLE, MAT

Application led October 20, 1928. Serial No. 313,877.

This invention relates to flexible floor mats composed of a series of articulated links; and

its object is the perfecting of mats of this character to render the same of more simple, 5 strong and inexpensive construction, and

more eilicient than other mats hitherto in use.

l yMore specific objects and advantages of the-invention will appear in the following The invention consists in the novel arrangement and combination of the link elements of a mat so thatthe assembly will constitute a truss-like formation providing 41,5 structural strength and rigidity against horizontal distortiom'yet permit the mat being rolled upon itself to occupy a small space.

The greater part of the link elements, moreover, are disposed obliquely to both the 20 longitudinal and transverse axes of the mat, thereby facilitating the cleaning of shoes when moved in a direction rectilinear with respect to the mat to effect diagonal scraping action with respect to its link elements.

25 The mat links composing a mat are prefera- ,bly made of a flexible or elastic material.

Y good results being had by utilizing fabricated rubber obtained from discarded pneumatic tires.

The invention further consists in the novel construction, adaptation and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the.accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a mat embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a side edge view of the same; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the mat to larger scale, illustrating the manner of assembling and uniting parts thereof now preferred by me.

In carrying out the invention, I em loy sections or rows, as A, B, and C, of lin s 5 and 6 arranged longitudinally ofthe mat, each of said links is an oblong shape in transverse section and is provided in its opposite ends with apertures 7 (Fig. 3) to receive transverse rod elements 8 and 81 upon which links are strung in the successive rows and pivotally connecting the rows to one another.

The links above referred to are disposed in 50 zigzag orderl in each transverse row thereof;

and also in pairs, the complementary links of each pair being arranged in Idiverging relation successively in all of said rowsv from` one end of the mat to the other.

The links are, furthermore, connected to 5 the rods to have the links of each pair contact with each other at corresponding ends of the respective pairs of links and be spread apart at` their other ends spaced to accommodate therebetween the juxtaposed ends of Cal Iother pairs in the successive transverse rows of links longitudinally of the mat. l

. In the terminal rows-as A and C-howj ever, annular spacing elements 9 (Fig. 1) are employed upon the bars 81 to position the ends of adjacent links at distances apart to provide symmetrical longitudinal rows as 10` in what I term, herring-bone arrangement, throughout the length of the mat.

- At each side of the mat is employed links "o 12, supplementary to' and in lieu of obliquely arranged links 5 and 6.

These supplementary links are disposed in planes parallel with the longitudinal axis of the mat and serve two purposes: first, as tie elements to prevent elongation of the mat structure to obviate lateral flexing of the obliquely arranged links 5 and 6; and, second, to provide approximately straight side rails of a mat frame, so to speak, composed of parallel link elements to eliminate openings of irregular sizes and shapes along opposite sides of the mat.

The rods which unite the ends of the links, or the links and spacers 9, together in the respective transverse rows and couplev the same with theends of adjoining rows of links, are advantageously made from a piece of wire which is bent into a rectangular shape, the side element'S and 81 (Fig. 3) of which constitute therods proper upon which the link and spacing elements are strung; the rod parts 8 and 81 integrally joined at one side of the mat by a tie element 82 and have at their other ends opposing terminals 83 which 95 extend into a coupling sleeve 13.

14 and 15 represent bearing plates which are pierced, as at 71` to receive the rod elements 8 and 81 at the opposite side respectively of. the link assembly, to protect the 100 outer links ot the alternate rows tliereelE :trom 'Y being abraded by the rod structure.

My improved mat has an extended field of usefulness, of which may be mentioned-upon exposed stairs, porches and approaches to buildings; and also upon gang planks, decks and the bridges et marine vessels-due to the diagonal disposition ot the rnat links which prevents the sliding ot a person standiin` or Walking thereupon.

he construction of the invention and the manner oli` its use will, it is thought, he understood from the foregoing description l. A mat formed olf sections consisting ot transverse rows oi obliquely disposed links longitudinally of the mat, and rods 'upony which said links are strung and which serve Vrows,

to hingedly connect the rnat sections together, said links being arranged in pairs in therespeotive sections, a'n end of each pair olf links in a section being juxtaposed With each other and serving as spacers between ends olf cornpanion links oi pairs ot links in adjoining sections.

2. A. mat formed oit assemblies of ohliquely disposed pairs oit links arranged in rows transverse and longitudinally ot the niet, the respective links of each pair being inclined in opposite directions alternately in the respective transverse rows, and in corresponding directions in the respective longitudinal and rods extending transversely through the mat for. connecting the links together. i.

3. A mat formed of end and intermediate sections longitudinally of the mat, each section comprising a plurality of link elements with apertures at the opposite ends thereof, rods extending through said apertures to connect the links in the respective sections, one rod of each end section and both rods of the intermediate sections serving to hingedly connect the sections together, spacing ele ments mounted upon the other rodot' each end section, said spacing elements and the links being arranged in close laterally abuttin relation at one end upon the variousrods an in respect to each other so as to disposel the links in angular relation to both the longitudinal and transverse axes of the mat.

' Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 28th day of Se tember, 1928. x

` QLD W7 HOLLENBECK.

weas/ee 

